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Petersen's neighbour Irena Wood told The Daily Telegraph that the 45-year-old was a "nice family man".

"He was a pretty quiet neighbour, I would see him up and down the street picking up his kids," she said.

Ms Wood said Petersen had lived onher street for two or three years. He never showed any signs of concerning behaviour.

"I have a daughter, we play out here (front of the man's house) all the time, (it's scary)," she said.

Petersen's brother Alex Peterson posted a tribute on Facebook.

"David Emery Petersen my brother...I am so going to miss you David so so much. I'm lost for words my dearest friend and brother in life. You were always my hero," he said.

Petersen's nephew Sione Halo said he had a "massive heart" and always had time for a chat.

"(You) picked me up when I was down and told me to just keep smiling," he posted on Facebook.

"It just feels like yesterday we were chillin... having a laugh, can't believe u gone (sic)."

Another nephew AJ Peterson said he was lying in bed waiting for his uncle to call say the shooting was "all a sick joke".

"You were my idol growing up, the bloke I wanted to be like the one I always wanted to impress - but as we got older you told me partying wasn't everything and you were proud of the man I had become," he wrote.

"In my darkest moments you were there for me, you got me back on my feet and you gave me my first tool belt and the job that would mould the awesome life I live now.

"You were always there to talk to and you never judged me. You were my second father, the one that always pulled me up if I was carrying on or being to cheeky to my elders. I wish I had one more chance to tell you how much I love you and how much you meant to all of us and also how thankful I am for everything you done for me - you saved my life.

"You were more than just my uncle you were my best friend, my inspiration, my saviour."

AJ Petersen promised to look after his uncle's family. He is understood have several young daughters.

"I will always remember you as the man who loved his family, put everyone before himself," he wrote.

"Whoever met him loved him... I will carry you in my heart forever and know you will watch over all of us."

Friends also posted tributes and messages of support.

Matua and Whaea Martin said Petersen was "always smiling and always a soft spoken fala" (sic).

"David was a lovely and humble man, and a big loss to all that had the pleasure of knowing him," Tia Martin wrote.

Petersen lived less than a kilometre from the police station. He was shot by a police officer with 24 years' experience.

His motivation for coming to the station with the weapon is still under investigation.

According to an online profile Petersen was from Auckland and attended Aorere College and then Penrose High School in the mid 80s where he played rugby, volleyball and was a member of the Pacific Island dance group.

He worked as a scaffolder and had been living in Australia for some years.

On his profile Petersen said: "I am a person who gets along with other team members, hardworking, always prepared for any unexpected obstacles that may approach me or my team members and always willing to learn more on the job."